Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins
2017 Hank Aaron Award recipient Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins attends the 2017 Hank Aaron Award press conference prior to game two of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 25, 2017 in Los Angeles. Tim Bradbury/Getty Images

The Miami Marlins shook up the baseball world this past weekend when the team agreed to trade Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees. According to former Yankees shortstop and current Marlins CEO and part-owner Derek Jeter, the organization didn’t have much choice.

Jeter addressed the media Monday at the start of MLB’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, explaining that the 2017 NL MVP didn’t want to be a part of Miami’s rebuilding efforts.

“Prior to us acquiring the organization, we had heard that Giancarlo had said that he would not want to be part of a rebuild. Those sentiments were relayed to us after we took over the organization. Understand, you don't want to have someone that does not want to be part of the organization. He signed his contract, a well-deserved contract. He had a no-trade clause in his contract. He earned it. He negotiated it. From that standpoint, it is what it is,” Jeter told reporters.

“We met with him. We talked to him. We spoke to him about our plans going forward, and he wanted to continue to continue his career elsewhere.”

 

Thank you to the Marlins Organization & the amazing city of Miami! The city that adopted me at 17 with open arms. I’ve loved this place over the years and it will always be special to me. I appreciate All my teammates & coaching Staff that battled day in and day out I feel for u fans, you’ve stuck with me as we’ve shared some roller coaster years. I’ve always tried to be as professional as possible during the unprofessional , circus times there! Regardless of the Ups&downs, I’ve grown n learned a lot as a Person/Player. So for that I give thanks, I hope there are better days in Miami . The city & the people are too great not to be! Stay positive & much love ! ————————————— As for NEW YORK CITY !!! I am officially a YANKEE__ I can’t wait to spark this new chapter in my life, & keeping it Lit _

A post shared by Giancarlo Stanton (@giancarlo818) on

Jeter and the new ownership group have made it a point to shed payroll this offseason. The team already traded second baseman Dee Gordon, who signed a $50 million contract less than a year ago, to the Seattle Mariners. Stanton is still owed $295 million after signing the largest deal in American sports’ history.

Because the Yankees have agreed to pay the bulk of Stanton’s contract, the Marlins didn’t receive what many would consider close to equal value for the star outfielder. New York sent Miami second baseman Starlin Castro, as well as minor leaguers Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers.

Stanton’s no-trade clause limited Miami’s options. The team had deals in place with both the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, but Stanton refused to accept a trade to either team. Stanton would’ve accepted deals to the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, but Marlins president of baseball operations Mike Hill said none of those teams made offers.

When the trade became official, Stanton made an Instagram post thanking the Marlins and the city of Miami, though he said he tried to be professional during the “unprofessional, circus times” with the club.

Stanton, 28, is coming off the best season of his career. He led MLB with 59 home runs and 132 RBI in 2017. Since making his debut in 2010, Stanton is averaging 43.9 home runs per 162 games.

Stanton is guaranteed to make at least $25 million over each of the next 10 seasons. He’ll earn $32 million per year from 2023-2025.

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